Crotalaria verrucosa

An ultra fast growing, tree-like, leguminous shrub with large, softly hairy, elliptical leaves bearing dense spikes of sweetly perfumed, bright yellow, 3cm, pea-like flowers in early winter, which are followed by large inflated seed pods that explode loudly during warm spring days. Reaches full size of 3-4m within 2 years, with an expected lifespan of 3-4 years. Self seeds freely, which is handy as you look forward to it's spectacular display each year. Must be planted as a seedling. Seedling stage lasts only a few weeks so is rarely offered.